Laurentian Bladder Fern (Cystopteris laurentiana)

Life history

Species overview

Laurentian Bladder Fern (Cystopteris laurentiana), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in moist, mostly wooded slopes and ledges in circumneutral soil. The optimal identification period for this species is late June through early September.

Synonyms: Cystopteris fragilis var. huteri, Cystopteris fragilis var. laurentiana, Cystopteris X laurentiana

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Distinguished from C. bulbifera by fronds broadest above (not at) the base, apex of fronds short (not long) attenuate, glandular hairs sparse (not dense) and bulblets uncommon (not frequent).
• Flower characteristics:
• Fruit characteristics: Sori dorsal on the laminae veins, protected by a pocket-like or scale-like, whitish, thin, commonly ciliate indusium; indusia cup-shaped, truncate at the apex.
• Leaf characteristics: Narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, 9 to 21 cm long, 3.5 to 8 cm wide, widest near the middle, obtuse at the base, acute to acuminate at the apex, twice pinnate-pinnatifid at and above the base, pinnate-pinnatifid below the pinnatifid apex, veins in laminae terminating in teeth and emarginations of teeth, basal pinna pair often spaced rather distantly from the suprabasal pair.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology:
• Fruiting phenology: early summer
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late June through early September

Other

• Growth form: Fern
• Vegetative reproduction: Rhizomatous
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Prenanthes alba, Aguilegia canadensis, Aster macrophyllus, Diervilla lonicera, Antennaria species, Cystopteris species, Sullivantia renifolia.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Laurentian Bladder Fern (Cystopteris laurentiana). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in moist, mostly wooded slopes and ledges in circumneutral soil.
• Soils: Limestone, dolomite, conglomerate, shale, and diabase cliffs and rocks.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Laurentian Bladder Fern. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Laurentian Bladder Fern. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid disturbance to moist limestone cliffs within forests where this species has been reported.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintain high forest canopy cover; this species requires shaded habitat conditions.
• Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.
• Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Other resources

Links to additional Laurentian Bladder Fern information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use